Trip Report
My Hiking Buddy, Ancient Oceans and The House Of The Spirits.
Tuesday February 15, 2011 2:32am
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Credit: survival
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So with our women-folk out on a "Horse Event" for the day, Layton and I had to think fast and improvise.

We elected to climb a mesa that we had been talking about in the Jemez Mountains. This would allow us to have a great February day in the sun, scope some cliff bands that I had been wondering about, and hunt for some evidence of ruins on top that I had heard rumors of.


Layton is about as fun a hiking pard as a guy could hope for, always ready for the next move, starting with the stream crossing.

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The geology of the Jemez is really pretty amazing with formations of Sandstone, Granite, Volcanic Tuff and Basalt. But I honestly wasn't aware of the amount of limestone we were to traverse on this hike.
Ancient Oceans....


The place was thicker with bazilliondy year old clams and sea fossils than I've ever seen!!

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Of course it wasn't long before the eating machine wanted a snack, but the old man never could outfit a feedbag like his mother.

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As we worked our way up the drainage, Layton wondered out loud if we'd ever get to the cliffs I was telling him we would explore. "These little hills in New Mexico are always bigger than you expect" I muttered.

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The distractions were aplenty though.....


Like, how many fossils and imprints can you find in this photo?
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The scenery improved as we inched our way upward.
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Past the local choss quarry.....
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Volcanic at last!!
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Ahhh, these are the crags I came to look at!

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The nice cracks were something I had spotted from a distance. But there were also things I didn't expect. Look close at that bottom right corner:
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And this!!
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The more rock we looked at, the more images we found.
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As we traversed, they grew in frequency and quality too....
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So many cool formations.
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Then,.......Whoa.......
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Believe it or not, that "thing" was way higher than we could even reach.
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There were so many panels and images that they overlapped each other. I can't even put up all the pictures I took. Unless you yell enough....
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There were a lot of fun rocks to look at also!
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I'll be back in a minute, but I'm gonna post this in the interest of someone seeing it tonight. I can post a lot more petroglyphs if you're interested.

  Trip Report Views: 2,997
survival
About the Author
survival is a big wall climber from A Token of My Extreme.

Comments
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 15, 2011 - 02:56am PT
There were no tracks, no litter, no nothing but fun stuff to explore and oggle at!










But I won't climb there, there's too much power...The House Of The Spirits.





MisterE

Gym climber
Small Town with a Big Back Yard
  Feb 15, 2011 - 03:02am PT
Great stuff, Survival! +1 for more pics...
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 15, 2011 - 03:04am PT









survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 15, 2011 - 03:18am PT





There were so many amazing formations and "rooms".

But there was big medicine there.

We could feel it.















survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 15, 2011 - 03:42am PT



























Jan

Mountain climber
Colorado & Nepal
  Feb 15, 2011 - 04:06am PT
Truly the land of Enchantment!
Thanks!
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 15, 2011 - 04:51am PT










Animals inside of animals!!




Captain...or Skully

climber
Boise, ID
  Feb 15, 2011 - 08:03am PT
Cool stuff.
426

climber
  Feb 15, 2011 - 08:04am PT
Neat-O!
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
  Feb 15, 2011 - 08:50am PT
Wow! House of the Spirits indeed......TFPU, great stuff.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
  Feb 15, 2011 - 08:58am PT
Bee utiful
Ghost

climber
A long way from where I started
  Feb 15, 2011 - 09:11am PT
So strange to see the petroglyphs and fossils together. I wonder what the people who scratched out the drawings thought about the strange shapes in the rocks below?
Roxy

Trad climber
CA Central Coast
  Feb 15, 2011 - 09:30am PT
sweet looking cracks

and ancient art

TFPU!
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 16, 2011 - 12:40pm PT
Thanks DMT. I wondered if anyone in this gang would have thoughts on that.
There's plenty of climbing in those mountains and I just felt like the place demanded some respect. Heck we barely touched anything.

I'll put up more pictures in about an hour.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Feb 15, 2011 - 09:43am PT
Bivalve hinges, pictographs, and cracks Oh my! The power comes through the ages and through the screen!

The first one looks like a push me, pull you!

more a that, any time!
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
  Feb 15, 2011 - 10:19am PT
Awesome rock art. Thanks for sharing.
Studly

Trad climber
WA
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:08am PT
Super cool!!!
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:15am PT
Survival is the baddest ass mofo on the taco. Thanks yet again for a TR with awesome photos
Maysho

climber
Soda Springs, CA
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:18am PT
Very Very Cool!

Thanks!

Peter
ydpl8s

Trad climber
Santa Monica, California
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:20am PT
Wow, was that cool! What a plethora of ancient artwork, I'd want to keep that place a secret.

That one pic where you comment about it "being higher than you could reach" looks like it shows an image of John Holmes ancestors :-)
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:43am PT







































Thanks for all the good feedback gang. I was like a kid in a candy store out there!!!
More to come.

I will be keeping it on the down low,.....'cept for putting it here of course. I just had to share it.

But anyone I ever take there will know of my respect for the place.

How can *ssholes even dream of trashing a place of magic? How can anyone not have some reverence? It's like a native American cathedral.
this just in

climber
Justin Ross from North Fork
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:42am PT
an ancestor of Holmes. Fuking funny
Fritz

Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:42am PT
Petroglyphillicious place and photos! I'm green with envy, since I haven't had a petroglyph-fix since July.

Re the limestone fossil shells: a geologist buddy and I did a couple May trips exploring north- central Nevada BITD. We found one limestone area where we joked that you could load a dump-truck with fossilized brachiopods.

Always fun to find seashells far from the sea.

Thanks for taking the time to share this amazing spot!
Friedo

Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:50am PT
Hey Survival. Where was this hike? I would love to check it out. I'm a geologist, so the fossils and glyphs are very interesting to me...and the cracks as well...

...if you're worried about overcrowding, you can email me the details...

shiva5277@hotmail.com

-Eric
Alpinista55

Mountain climber
Portland, OR
  Feb 15, 2011 - 01:22pm PT
Wow! What a treasure house. Makes you want to take a trip on Mr. Peabody's Way Back Machine (sorry, classical reference, Rocky and Bullwinkle show) to watch the creation of these powerful images. Was it a private experience of a lone artist or shaman, or more ceremonial event? What kind of spiritual or historical events were the artists recording? Questions we may never have answers for, but the power of the imagery remains for those lucky enough to experience it. Thanks for sharing, Survival!
J. Werlin

Social climber
Cedaredge, CO
  Feb 15, 2011 - 02:00pm PT
very very cool. Many thanks for the post.
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
  Feb 15, 2011 - 02:08pm PT
kick ass dude.

really cool
east side underground

climber
paul linaweaver hilton crk ca
  Feb 15, 2011 - 02:47pm PT
Very nice, respect you for not climbing, not all rocks need to be climbed. Cheers. Your son is a lucky kid
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 16, 2011 - 12:33pm PT
Not all rocks need to be climbed.

Me thinks so too.

Those are too soft anyway. Candy coated tuff in most spots. If it was the only stone in the state and there were no Petroglyphs, fine, you could work some up.
But there are plenty of rocks here, and there ARE petroglyphs. Plus it's a gnarly hike for some folks......(like me)...HA!




No, it's not the same Elk/Deer as the other panel.


Flute player!











nutjob

Sport climber
Almost to Hollywood, Baby!
  Feb 15, 2011 - 03:55pm PT
Survival, I'm really happy you got to share such a special experience with the next generation. Just looking at the pictures I feel awe and wonder, so being there in person must have been pure magic.
Anastasia

climber
Home
  Feb 15, 2011 - 04:04pm PT
How beautiful! They give me shivers! Wow... I'm really happy to see them here and feel like I personally don't need to disturb the site. Some places really are sacred... Thanks for the share!

Anastasia

JMC

climber
the land of milk and honey
  Feb 15, 2011 - 04:09pm PT
Whoa, the Survival man clan found the locus of beauty! Awesome stuff Bruce, thanks for sharing: it soothes my psyche to at least see the stuff in digital form.
karodrinker

Trad climber
San Jose, CA
  Feb 15, 2011 - 09:18pm PT
Hah, those cavemen sure loved wieners. Thanks for posting!
Buju

Big Wall climber
the range of light
  Feb 15, 2011 - 09:26pm PT
Bump for petroglyphs, splitters, fossils, and children!
Bad Acronym

climber
Little Death Hollow
  Feb 15, 2011 - 09:47pm PT
Love it. Never seen a petroglyph of a pregnant mammal like that before.

Thanks for the pics!
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:18pm PT
Gotta keep traversing the Mesa!




A big head!







A boy and his cave.





The scenery was wonderful.











telemon01

Trad climber
Montana
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:24pm PT

wow, great stuff-
Mighty Hiker

climber
Outside the Asylum
  Feb 15, 2011 - 11:36pm PT
So glad y'all enjoy my little attempt at some carving and stuff. It's always nice to have an appreciative audience, and in these remote locations, you just never know who may see it. Crop circles are fine, and get a good crowd, but get kind of boring after a while. Plus they're just totally seasonal. A discerning but limited audience is always a nice change. It was hell concealing the footprints, though.

Can any of you guess which one is "Crimpergirl"? :-) (Hint: think "birds".)

Anyway, glad you're getting some sun and exercise. That tuff does look pretty soft for climbing, though.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 16, 2011 - 01:03pm PT
Anders, thanks for clearing me up on the tuff/tuft spelling. Yes, Tuff is correct. I knew that once upon a time.

Bad mistake for a Smith Rocks boy!






















Tozo

Trad climber
East of West
  Feb 17, 2011 - 09:10am PT
Great report and photos
I spent 10years living and exploring that part of the world and miss it dearly. brings back good memories
here's a few petroglyphs I found in an obscure canyon in the desert west of abluquuerque. There's awesome stuff scattered everywhere there
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
  Feb 17, 2011 - 09:21am PT
While I aplaude the 'no climbing' ethic there, I gotta say, If I ran across it, I would scramble up something and sit and ponder it all. As I imagine the original artists did. That's pretty much hat got me started in climbing in the first place.
ron gomez

Trad climber
  Feb 17, 2011 - 09:23am PT
You and your son seem to have been blessed that day!
Peace
philo

climber
  Feb 17, 2011 - 11:24am PT
Perforated bovine. I mean, holy cow! I am flattened, leveled, awed. This is my favorite TR ever. Many happy returns are anticipated. Sacred land to be sure.

I wonder if, like climbers today, back then the artists would get their loin cloths in a twist if someone else jumped their stone. Did they have rules and ethics? No aiding? Art on lead? Did they aspire to climb higher?

Bruce I have to admit I thought naming a kid Layton or Yvon or Royal would put a heavy burden on them later in life. Particularly if they were to become climbers. But I got to say you got it covered brother. The two of you are so fortunate to have found, explored and experienced this magic place. Most of all you are blessed to have each other to be with and learn from.
philo

climber
  Feb 18, 2011 - 08:58am PT
Big Medicine Bump.

This awesome TR needs to be seen.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 18, 2011 - 09:23am PT
Thank you Sir Philo.
I've got a few more good pix to throw down after while also!
Too busy right this moment.
lepton

climber
  Feb 18, 2011 - 12:39pm PT
Survival, you are my hero....you really are!
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
  Feb 18, 2011 - 06:50pm PT
Amazing rock art.
What a fantastic trip report!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Feb 18, 2011 - 10:25pm PT
Survival,
Nice art, nice rock and a nice day with your son!
Thank you!
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 18, 2011 - 11:58pm PT
Only one shot of survival hisself on top of the Mesa. Not bad Layton.

When still 15 minutes or so from the top, we realized how late it had gotten considering how much difficult footing there was between us and the river below. We had quite the little conference before deciding to go to the top and hike around for a few minutes at least, rather than turning back after coming so far.



Had to have my one cool bonsai shot!


Caught Mr Moon too.


I got a couple good boulder shots on the trip down.















Layton's river crossing was more fun than mine!!
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 19, 2011 - 08:23pm PT
HA! They were done on lead, but they had to use some aid to get to those high ones I'm sure!!

I forgot to thank Tozo for the cool pix.






Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
  Feb 19, 2011 - 10:53pm PT
WOW!

One must marvel at rock art and the beautiful desert setting . . . thanks for the wonderful images and inspiration.
J.R.

Big Wall climber
Bend, OR
  Feb 20, 2011 - 11:51pm PT
Survival, Thanks for sharing this great trip report. Your son will remember that day with his dad forever.
John
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Feb 21, 2011 - 07:56pm PT
John, you did one of Jim Anglin's last walls with him.
The spirit world stretches far and wide.......
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Jan 8, 2013 - 02:56pm PT
Fun New Year Bump for me and the Boy!

Exploration takes so many forms eh?
labrat

Trad climber
Erik O. Auburn, CA
  Jan 8, 2013 - 04:35pm PT
Wow! Thanks for sharing and bringing this one back up!
bvb

Social climber
flagstaff arizona
  Jan 8, 2013 - 05:10pm PT
Most ecxcellent adventure! My kind of day. Can't beleive I missed this first go-round.
Larry Nelson

Social climber
  Jun 20, 2016 - 06:53pm PT
Time for this hidden gem of a TR to land back on the front page.

For many, climbing is just an excuse to get out to a magical place. To find that magical place, with your son and without roping up?
Now that is magical.
TFPU
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Jun 20, 2016 - 09:37pm PT
Wow, thanks for the nice bump Larry. It's one of my favorites.

You're exactly right about the way it went down.
Larry Nelson

Social climber
  Jun 21, 2016 - 10:07am PT
Survival
This TR has great pictures, a great narrative and a family perspective that most of us relate to and promote.
(Had to reply just to bump it to page 1 again...heh.)
overwatch

climber
Arizona
  Jun 21, 2016 - 10:31am PT
Whoever did the glyphs must have climbed it
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Jun 21, 2016 - 10:47am PT
Or built a ladder, or scaffold, something NM natives were quite good at.
le_bruce

climber
Oakland, CA
  Jun 21, 2016 - 10:55am PT
Sweet jesus this is insanely beautiful. Even without the glyphs + ancient sea beasts these pics are pure esthetic overload for any desert-lover/rock-climber/obscure-landscape-wanderer.

I ran through the pics three times and will definitely go back. Thank you for sharing.
overwatch

climber
Arizona
  Jun 21, 2016 - 11:12am PT
Levitated? I bet that is an incredible power spot I would be tempted to spend the night there but I am into some pretty weird stuff
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Author's Reply  Jun 21, 2016 - 11:21am PT
Overwatch!! We intended to camp there as well!! But sadly, never made it back...
overwatch

climber
Arizona
  Jun 21, 2016 - 11:33am PT
Looks like a really cool place, hairs popping up thinking about it
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